Earlier this month neighbours in a South Mabellah suburb, 40km north to old Muscat town, had alerted police about some suspicious activity at a house and about weird noises. A sorcery ritual in that house asphyxiated two Omanis and four fell unconscious after inhaling poisonous smoke.

An African national was caught from the scene of the incident for practicing sorcery and black magic. According to police, the smoke created by burning incense, mixed with poisonous herbs, fatally suffocated the inmates in the house.

“People should not get wrongly influenced by those who claim to have supernatural powers,” a spokesman for the ROP said.

In a statement issued to media he said that crimes related to witchcraft were being reported lately and a number of accused have been arrested. “Several books, as well as frankincense, poisonous herbs, candles and lotions have been found during raids,” he revealed.

The statement said that the perpetrators tried to earn large amounts of money by pretending to have the ability to increase a person’s wealth or end family disputes.

“Do not get fooled by such claims,” he advised people of Oman.

He urged people to report any such incidents by calling ROP on 9999.

Meanwhile, the media release quoted Ebrahim Bin Nasser Al Sawafi, Fatwa secretary at the Office of the Grand Mufti, as saying that wrongdoers claim to have powers to prophesise. “What they do is contrary to the teachings of Islam, like offering a sacrifice to an idol, a tomb, tree or river,” Al Sawafi said.

He added that it was the duty of a Muslim to have a deep faith that the entire universe belongs to Allah.

“People and jinn are but created by Allah, and they cannot benefit or bring harm on anyone, unless Allah wills,” he pointed out.

He also said that people attach to illusions because they are ignorant of the correct doctrine. “True faith requires that a human being is to have confidence in Allah,” the ROP statement said.

Sawafi called on those who believe in fortune-tellers and witch doctors to return to the faith of Islam and not to fall captives to those who promote illusions.

Does black magic go against the teachings of Islam? Why do you think Omanis are turning to witchcraft? Share your comments.